Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 132 Drawing fire from the bottom of the cauldron
Li Family Greenhouse in Daying Village.

Old Li had just finished working in the newly expanded greenhouse and came out for some fresh air when he was surrounded by a group of villagers.

Ever since the Li family made a big fuss about expanding their greenhouse, there's been a constant stream of people around the old Li family's greenhouse. Some are just there for the spectacle, while others are genuinely interested in the greenhouse itself.

Old Li has become the focus of everyone's attention. At first, it was his fellow villagers who came to chat with him and ask about the greenhouses; now even people from neighboring villages have come. The news of Old Li's greenhouse farming has gradually spread.

Old Li finally understood the feeling his son had described as "the threshold being worn down by visitors." Just as his son said, he could no longer stop planting even if he wanted to.

The people who came to visit Old Li were implying that they hoped he could take them along to grow greenhouse vegetables next year. Old Li neither refused nor agreed.

He had mentioned this to his son, and Li Zhe said that they could bring in some qualified people to build greenhouses. As for who qualifies, Li Zhe didn't elaborate, and Old Li couldn't give a clear answer to these people either.

"The truck is back!"

"Hey, that truck is really impressive!"

"In all the surrounding villages, I reckon only Old Li's family can afford a truck like that. You have to admit they're quite capable!"

Several people chatting with Lao Li looked on with envy.

Old Li chuckled, "Alright, let's talk another day. I have work to do!" With that, Old Li headed towards the truck. The truck's passenger side door opened, and Zhou Qinghe got out.

Old Li had become quite familiar with Zhou Qinghe and liked the girl's outgoing personality, so he greeted her warmly: "Qinghe's back!"

"Uncle Li, hello! Did you miss me while I was gone?"

“Of course I thought of it! Your aunt was talking about you this morning. Your sister-in-law talks about you eight times a day, I’m sick of it.” Old Li stopped mid-sentence, suddenly pausing. Another man got out of the driver’s seat, but he didn’t recognize him: “Qinghe, who is this comrade?”

"Uncle Li, I was just about to introduce you. This is my teacher, Professor Chen, from the Agricultural University. He was invited by Li Zhe to visit our greenhouse."

Chen Shougeng stepped forward and shook hands with Old Li: "You must be Comrade Li Zhe's father, right? I've heard Qinghe mention you quite a bit. My name is Chen Shougeng, and I teach at Beijing Agricultural University. I hope you'll take good care of me in the future."

"Professor Chen, you're too kind." Old Li said, his voice tinged with emotion, as he gripped the other's hand tightly. In his mind, university professors were all remarkable figures, people of high status and influence—far beyond the reach of someone like himself.
Li Zhe walked over and said to Old Li, "Dad, this Teacher Chen is an expert in vegetable breeding. I invited him to guide vegetable breeding techniques."

Old Li greeted her warmly, "Teacher Chen, don't stand outside. It's warm inside the greenhouse. Let's go inside and talk."

Chen Shougeng didn't react, standing there blankly. His gaze swept over the dozen or so gleaming white greenhouses around him, completely captivated by them. He had only heard Zhou Qinghe say that the Li family had more than one greenhouse, but hadn't been given a specific number. He hadn't expected there to be so many, nor had he imagined the greenhouses would be so large. How did they maintain the temperature for the vegetables to grow?

Li Zhe put it another way: "Teacher Chen, let me take you to visit greenhouse number three."

"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Chen Shougeng came to his senses and followed Li Zhe and his son toward greenhouse number three.

Seeing some ridiculously wide rammed earth walls, he couldn't help but walk up and touch them, and then quickly took two steps to catch up.

Seeing Li Zhe help him lift the curtain, he thanked him and crouched down to go inside. His glasses immediately fogged up from the heat, making it hard to see, but his nose still worked. There was no smell of coal smoke in the shed, which meant Zhou Qinghe was right; the shed wasn't heated by coal.

Chen Shougeng hurriedly wiped his glasses and put them back on, finally able to see the scene inside the greenhouse.

The surroundings were lush and green, with cucumber vines and some unripe, tender cucumbers in sight. There was also a patch of watermelon vines nearby. Was that broccoli? And chives...

Each type of fruit and vegetable, depending on its suitable growing temperature, is distributed in a different location within the greenhouse, and they all appear to be growing well. Is this the vegetable greenhouse Zhou Qinghe was talking about? It's even more incredible than he imagined!

But upon closer inspection, the process isn't overly complicated. Compared to previous greenhouses, the only differences are higher transparency of the film and thicker rammed earth walls. More importantly, the excavation went a full meter deep! Perhaps this is the main reason for maintaining the greenhouse temperature.

Of course, this one greenhouse is not representative, and he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Li, may I visit some of the other greenhouses?"

"Of course, please come with me!" Li Zhe led Chen Shougeng out of the greenhouse.

As soon as I stepped outside, I heard a commotion.

"Quick-tongued wife! What are you doing here?" the Malay boy shouted.

The talkative wife, who was standing not far from the greenhouse, was startled: "I didn't do anything! I just came to take a look..."

The Malay boy, looking wary, questioned, "You still say you didn't do anything? You're acting all sneaky. Are you planning to cause trouble in the greenhouse?"

"No, no! I don't want to cause trouble. What trouble could I possibly cause in broad daylight? I'm here to see Sister-in-law Xiuying!"

Hearing the commotion, Wang Xiuying hurriedly came out: "Hey, you quick-tongued girl, what are you doing here? Did you feel bad after being beaten up last time? Want me to scratch your itch for you?"

"No, no, I really didn't come here to fight. I...I..." She said "I" several times, but couldn't finish the sentence.

Wang Xiuying stepped forward and looked her over: "What are you holding? Show me!"

"Sister-in-law Xiuying, let me be frank!" the quick-tongued wife said in a low voice, "I've come to ask for your help."

Wang Xiuying was somewhat surprised: "Did the sun rise in the west today? You actually asked me for help? What can I do to help you?"

The quick-talking wife opened the basket in her hand: "Sister-in-law Xiuying, look, I brought you eggs and luncheon meat. I know I did wrong before, and I came to apologize to you."

Wang Xiuying found it even more unbelievable: "You quick-tongued wife, what are you up to?"

"Sister-in-law Xiuying, can we talk somewhere else?" The quick-talking wife was a little embarrassed to speak when she saw the people gathering around. Wang Xiuying and Ma Laixiao exchanged a glance, and the two of them, one in front and one behind, "flanked" the quick-talking wife and walked towards the No. 1 greenhouse.

Upon entering greenhouse number one, the quick-talking wife handed over the basket in her hand: "Sister-in-law Xiuying, I was wrong before, I've come to apologize to you."

Wang Xiuying didn't believe her quick-tongued wife's words, but she still had to accept the gifts—not because she was greedy, but because she had given eggs and gifts when she asked her wife to help her find a job: "I'll take these things as your way of returning the favor. So, what's the matter?"

The talkative wife sighed, "I know I was wrong last time, and now nobody in the village talks to me. My husband isn't home, and the local store won't let me in. I don't even have anyone to talk to. I'm so bored being cooped up in the house all day!" She became increasingly distressed, her eyes reddening. "You know I'm a talkative person; if this continues, I'll suffocate!"

Wang Xiuying suppressed a laugh: "Then what do you want me to do?"

"I know you and Yuzhen are close, could you put in a good word for me? Ask her not to hold it against me." The quick-tongued wife started wiping away tears as she spoke.

Last time, she got into a fight with Zhang Yuzhen and her son. She was furious and thought she would never go to the consignment store again; she wanted to get revenge. But after a while, she found that none of the people she used to know came to visit her.

She could no longer go to the consignment store, and was all alone every day. She loved being around people and couldn't stand the loneliness.

Every time she recalls the scenes of chatting and laughing in the store, she feels especially nostalgic. That was where she should be, that was her stage!

She longs to go back to the dealership and be the most stylish girl she used to be!
If she didn't talk to someone soon, if she didn't have anyone to chat with, she felt like she was going to suffocate. What did saving face matter to her? She didn't care at all. She just wanted to go back to the days when she was surrounded by people gossiping about her—that was the life she was meant to live!

This was the first time Wang Xiuying had ever met someone so shameless, and she was so shocked she couldn't speak. She'd learned her lesson now and didn't refuse her quick-tongued wife, saying a few polite words to brush her off.

The young Malay girl said with some worry, "Mom, don't believe her, and don't be soft-hearted and help her."

Wang Xiuying laughed, "Help her? I'd be lucky if I didn't kick her when she's down! Just wait and see, there'll be a show to watch. Hahaha..."

The quick-talking wife walked back to the village somewhat dejectedly, wondering if Wang Xiuying would help her.

Suddenly, she saw a familiar person ahead. Although it was getting dark, she recognized him—her old neighbor, Zhu Yimin.

To be honest, she hadn't seen Zhu Yimin for some time. She knew that Zhu Yimin and his wife were having a fight, but she hadn't figured out the specific reason. Later, she was beaten up by Zhang Yuzhen and her son, so she lost interest in paying attention to it.

Now that she had seen Zhu Yimin again, her gossip-loving spirit was reignited. She followed Zhu Yimin into greenhouse number four, and lifted the curtain to see a bed and some personal belongings inside.

Zhu Yimin also saw her and scolded, "You taciturn girl! Who let you in? Is this a place for you? Get out right now!"

"Zhu Yimin, you've been living in the greenhouse these past few days? You haven't even come home? Why? Did your wife kick you out? I heard she spent all your money? How did she spend it?"

Zhu Yimin was stunned by his wife's barrage of questions.

Just as Zhu Yimin was about to kick her out, he suddenly remembered what Jin Baiwan had once told him.

Previously, Zhu Yimin found 1200 yuan hidden by his wife under the cabinet, which gave him confidence, so he moved into the greenhouse to live.

He basically figured out that his wife had borrowed 3000 yuan to help her parents build a house. The house was now built, and he knew it wouldn't be easy to get the money back, but it was his hard-earned money, and he still wanted it. However, ordinary methods were unlikely to work, so he asked his good friend Jin Baiwan for help.

At that moment, Jin Baiwan seemed very hesitant...

Under his repeated questioning, Jin Baiwan finally said, "I do have an idea, but if I use it, it might cause you and your father-in-law to have a complete falling out."

Zhu Yimin was now single-mindedly focused on getting his money back, so he didn't care about his father-in-law anymore. He went straight to asking Jin Baiwan what his idea was. Whatever it was, he did it!

Jin Baiwan, pressed relentlessly by the man, finally offered a solution. Jin Baiwan also felt that getting the money back would be difficult, but not impossible. First, they needed to figure out: what was his father-in-law's purpose in borrowing the money? Building a house wasn't the ultimate goal; the ultimate goal was likely to help his brother-in-law get married.

If his brother-in-law can't get married because of this, then his father-in-law might be able to return the money.

How could he prevent his brother-in-law from getting married? Jin Baiwan didn't say, so Zhu Yimin could only think about it himself, but he couldn't come up with a solution.

Now that he'd met his talkative wife, an idea popped into his head. She really did have a foul mouth, but what if he used it wisely—for example, directed it at someone else? Could it yield unexpected results?

Should we do this?

Will we really sever all ties with the Zhou family completely?

Can Zhou Yufeng understand herself?
Zhu Yimin shook his head, steeling his resolve: Forget it, I'll do it! That's my money! I'm going to get it back!
He turned to look at his talkative wife, his face full of bitterness, and said helplessly, "Don't ask anymore, all our money is gone. Yu Feng used it to build a house for her family..."

"What?! Zhou Yufeng used money to build a house for her family?!" The talkative wife was shocked. This was big news. She was overjoyed, her face beaming with excitement. "You came to live in the greenhouse, and you were kicked out by Zhou Yufeng too?"

Zhu Yimin seemed startled, his face filled with fear. "No, no, I came voluntarily. It has nothing to do with the Zhou family..."

The quick-tongued wife gave a shrewd look, and Zhu Yimin's reaction was exactly what she expected. Well, she guessed right after all. This matter involved the Zhou family, and it was no longer just news from Daying Village. It was news from two villages... no, it should be considered news from the town level.

“Yimin, we’ve been neighbors for so many years. If you have any grievances, tell your sister-in-law, and she’ll stand up for you…”

"No, no, what grievances could I possibly have? It was all voluntary." Zhu Yimin shook his head vigorously.

The more he said this, the less his quick-tongued wife believed him. The Zhou family had taken Zhu Yimin's money and forced him to live in the greenhouse. You know, Zhu Yimin almost died in that greenhouse before. They were trying to rob him and kill him, and then exploit him!
I understand now! Things I couldn't understand before, now they all make sense!

Ten minutes later, the quick-talking wife emerged from the greenhouse beaming, as if she had received a tremendous benefit...

(End of this chapter)